Modeling Plasma Flow in a Magnetic Nozzle with the Lattice-Boltzmann Method
Abstract
Magnetic nozzles must convert thermal or gyro energy of the plasma to thrust while also
inducing plasma detachment in order to be effective. Plasma detachment and methods to
induce plasma detachment are examined. In particular, super Alfvenic detachment and
resistive detachment are examined. A parametric study of the plasma flow is conducted.
Plasma flow through a magnetic nozzle is simulated using a three-dimensional, timedependent
magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) model. The MHD equations are modeled
using the lattice-Boltzmann method and the linearized Boltzmann equation with the
Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook operator for collisions. This thesis presents simulations of
configurations and conditions related to the VASIMR propulsion scheme. This research
demonstrates plasma detachment using resistive and super Alfvenic mechanisms by
modeling plasma flow with the Lattice Boltzmann Method.
Subject
latticeboltzmann
lattice boltzmann method
VASIMR
computational fluid dynamics
fluid
dynamics
relaxation time
electric propulsion
plasma propulsion
space travel
Beta
Plasma
detachment
resistive
Alfven
Physics
Propulsion
Space
Space Propulsion
Aerospace
Magnetic Nozzle
Plasma physics
Citation
Ebersohn, Frans Hendrik (2010). Modeling Plasma Flow in a Magnetic Nozzle with the Lattice-Boltzmann Method. Texas A&M University. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -2010 -05 -8135.